Express train kills 4 workers carrying out weed-control work on tracks in Japan

Four workers and a supervisor working on a railway track in Japan were killed when an express train struck them as they were spraying herbicide on Thursday morning. The incident occurred at Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, around 10:46 am local time. Tobu Railway, which operates the line, is investigating whether proper safety procedures were followed.

The train services on the Tobu Nikko Line were suspended following the collision. Six others were uninjured at the scene. The workers, aged in their 50s and 60s, were part of a 10-member team on the job. The usual lookout system, including whistles, microphones, and a yellow flag, was reportedly in place before the accident.